KQED's Forum As Iran and Israel War Continues, What Does It Mean for the Bay Area Iranian Diaspora?
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Jun 23, 2025 Persis Karim, a poet and director of the Center for Iranian Diaspora Studies, joins Arman Mahmoudi, a community organizer; Hasti Jafari, a playwright; and Nahid Siamdoust, a journalist, to discuss the profound impact of the Israel-Iran conflict on the Bay Area's Iranian community. They explore emotional narratives, the complex historical context of U.S. involvement, and the challenges of communication with family in Iran. Insights into navigating identity, activism, and solidarity within the diaspora await listeners in this poignant conversation.
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Illegal War and Civilian Impact
- The U.S. and Israel's current military actions contravene international law and disproportionately target Iranian civilian infrastructure.
- The Iranian people have long worked towards reform, but external aggression undermines their efforts and strengthens oppressive regimes.
Diaspora's Conflicted Emotions
- Many Iranians feel conflicted: opposing bombing their country but resenting regime leaders responsible for oppression.
- Civilian casualties from internal regime violence often surpass those caused by external conflict.
Impact of U.S. Military Intervention
- U.S. military intervention worsens prospects for positive change in Iran and ignores historical patterns of foreign meddling.
- Military conflicts have historically strengthened authoritarian regimes rather than led to meaningful reform.